docs(governance): add generalized research report template

Author: Sam-Bolling

docs/governance/research-report-template.md

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+# Section [NN]: [Topic Title] - Research Report
+
+**Topic ID:** [Must match overall research plan index, e.g., IDR-SRV-001]
+**Report Status:** [Draft | In Review | Final]
+**Research Plan:** [Relative or absolute link to topic research plan]
+**Overall Research Plan:** [Relative or absolute link to controlling overall research plan]
+**Research Questions Covered:** [Count and short scope statement]
+**Methodology Used:** [Short summary of how research was performed]
+**Research Time:** [Actual time spent and date range]
+**Primary Source(s):**
+- [Authoritative source URL/path]
+- [Authoritative source URL/path]
+**Supporting Resources:**
+- [Related report or plan]
+- [Related report or plan]
+**Document Purpose:** [What decision(s) this report enables]
+**Author(s):** [Name/Team]
+**Date:** [Month Day, Year]
+**Last Updated:** [Month Day, Year]
+
+---
+
+## Usage Rules
+
+This report template is for topic-level reports that must correlate to governance topic plans.
+
+1. `Topic ID` must exactly match the ID in the overall research plan index.
+2. `Research Plan` must link to the corresponding topic-specific research plan.
+3. Every conclusion must be backed by explicit evidence and references.
+4. Recommendations must be decision-usable, not descriptive only.
+5. Report is final only when all core questions from the topic plan are addressed or explicitly marked unresolved.
+
+---
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+1. Executive Summary
+2. Scope and Plan Alignment
+3. Evidence Base
+4. Findings by Research Question
+5. Decision Analysis
+6. Key Recommendations
+7. Implementation Implications and Estimates
+8. Risks, Constraints, and Open Questions
+9. Validation Against Plan Success Criteria
+10. Next Steps and Handoff
+11. References
+12. Appendices (Optional)
+
+---
+
+## 1. Executive Summary
+
+Provide a concise, decision-oriented summary.
+
+- Problem or decision context
+- Most important findings
+- Final recommendation
+- Notable unresolved risk (if any)
+
+---
+
+## 2. Scope and Plan Alignment
+
+Show explicit correlation to governance planning artifacts.
+
+- Topic ID and title confirmation
+- Topic plan objective coverage statement
+- In-scope items completed
+- Out-of-scope items (if any)
+
+### Research Question Coverage Matrix
+
+| Plan Question ID | Question (Short Form) | Coverage Status | Evidence Location |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| [Q1] | [Question summary] | [Complete/Partial/Unresolved] | [Section/appendix/reference] |
+| [Q2] | [Question summary] | [Complete/Partial/Unresolved] | [Section/appendix/reference] |
+
+---
+
+## 3. Evidence Base
+
+Document the evidence used and how it was validated.
+
+### 3.1 Primary Sources Reviewed
+
+| Source | Type | Why It Is Authoritative | Access Date | Notes |
+|---|---|---|---|---|
+| [URL/path] | [Spec/code/repo/etc.] | [Justification] | [YYYY-MM-DD] | [Note] |
+
+### 3.2 Supporting Sources Reviewed
+
+| Source | Relevance | Access Date | Notes |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| [URL/path] | [How used] | [YYYY-MM-DD] | [Note] |
+
+### 3.3 Evidence Quality Notes
+
+- [Any caveat, data limitation, missing source, or confidence note]
+
+---
+
+## 4. Findings by Research Question
+
+Report findings grouped by topic-plan questions, not by ad hoc narrative.
+
+### 4.1 [Question ID/Theme]
+
+**Finding:** [Clear statement]
+
+**Evidence:**
+- [Direct source citation with specific section/path]
+- [Direct source citation with specific section/path]
+
+**Interpretation:** [What the evidence means for this topic]
+
+### 4.2 [Question ID/Theme]
+
+**Finding:** [Clear statement]
+
+**Evidence:**
+- [Direct source citation]
+
+**Interpretation:** [Decision-relevant meaning]
+
+---
+
+## 5. Decision Analysis
+
+Evaluate viable options and trade-offs before final recommendation.
+
+| Option | Benefits | Costs/Risks | Standards/Compatibility Impact | Recommendation |
+|---|---|---|---|---|
+| [Option A] | [Benefit] | [Cost/risk] | [Impact] | [Keep/Reject/Conditional] |
+| [Option B] | [Benefit] | [Cost/risk] | [Impact] | [Keep/Reject/Conditional] |
+
+---
+
+## 6. Key Recommendations
+
+Provide explicit, bounded, actionable recommendations.
+
+1. [Recommendation statement]
+   - Rationale: [Short rationale]
+   - Preconditions: [If any]
+   - Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
+2. [Recommendation statement]
+   - Rationale: [Short rationale]
+   - Preconditions: [If any]
+   - Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
+
+---
+
+## 7. Implementation Implications and Estimates
+
+Capture practical downstream impact for planning artifacts.
+
+### 7.1 Implications
+
+- [Architecture implication]
+- [Implementation implication]
+- [Testing or validation implication]
+
+### 7.2 Effort/Complexity Estimate
+
+| Work Item | Relative Complexity | Estimate | Assumptions |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| [Item] | [Low/Medium/High] | [Time/points] | [Assumptions] |
+
+---
+
+## 8. Risks, Constraints, and Open Questions
+
+### 8.1 Risks and Constraints
+
+- [Risk/constraint]
+- [Risk/constraint]
+
+### 8.2 Open Questions
+
+- [Open question and why unresolved]
+- [Open question and next action]
+
+---
+
+## 9. Validation Against Plan Success Criteria
+
+Map report outcomes back to the topic plan success criteria.
+
+| Topic Plan Success Criterion | Validation Status | Evidence |
+|---|---|---|
+| [Criterion] | [Met/Partially Met/Not Met] | [Section/reference] |
+| [Criterion] | [Met/Partially Met/Not Met] | [Section/reference] |
+
+---
+
+## 10. Next Steps and Handoff
+
+Define immediate follow-on work and ownership.
+
+1. [Next action] - Owner: [Name/Team] - Due: [YYYY-MM-DD]
+2. [Next action] - Owner: [Name/Team] - Due: [YYYY-MM-DD]
+
+---
+
+## 11. References
+
+List all cited sources with reproducible links.
+
+- [Full URL or repository path]
+- [Full URL or repository path]
+- [Full URL or repository path]
+
+---
+
+## 12. Appendices (Optional)
+
+Include supporting detail that would otherwise disrupt report readability.
+
+- Raw extraction tables
+- Command logs
+- Comparison matrices
+- Supplemental examples
+
+---
+
+## Report Completion Checklist
+
+- [ ] Topic ID matches overall research plan index
+- [ ] Topic research plan is linked and aligned
+- [ ] Core research questions are covered or explicitly unresolved
+- [ ] Findings are evidence-backed with reproducible references
+- [ ] Recommendations are explicit and actionable
+- [ ] Risks and open questions are documented
+- [ ] Success criteria validation is complete
+- [ ] Next steps are assigned